sideboard
SYD-bord
/ˈsaɪdbɔːrd/
A flat-topped dining room table or cabinet used for holding serving dishes, plates, and table linen.
Usually features a combination of drawers and cabinets, stands on short legs, and is traditionally placed against a dining room wall.
The story behind the word. In the Middle Ages, a 'board' was a literal wooden plank used as a table. A 'side-board' was a secondary table placed at the side of the dining hall where servants carved meat and prepared dishes before presenting them to the main table.
Word relationships
- buffet: A buffet is virtually identical to a sideboard, though 'buffet' is more commonly used when emphasizing the serving of food.
Commonly confused with
- credenza: A credenza is typically lower, sleeker, and often lacks legs entirely, making it popular in modern offices.
Collocations
- dining room sideboard
- wooden sideboard
- antique sideboard
Example sentences
- "During Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey and side dishes were laid out on the oak sideboard for buffet-style serving." A holiday dinner preparation.
Memory hook
It is a 'board' (table) placed at the 'side' of the dining room. Sideboard: The dining room side-table.
When not to use
Do not use to describe a narrow entryway table (which is a console) or a low office cabinet (which is a credenza).
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, sideboards became highly prestigious status symbols, often featuring built-in lead-lined urns used to chill wine.
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.